The UK has a legacy of land that is contaminated with materials from previous use. This can result in soil and groundwater pollution with the potential to cause harm to human health, watercourses and ecosystems.

Some industrial activities could harm the environment or human health unless they are controlled. The Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010 introduced the latest system of environmental permits by integrating the previous Waste Management Licensing and Pollution Prevention and Control regimes.

Under section 14 of the Clean Air Act 1993, the height of a chimney must be approved by the local authority as, whatever height smoke and flue gases are discharged at, gravity will eventually brings the larger particles of grit, dust and soot to the ground.

It is common for dust to be produced during demolition and construction works and vehicles moving on dry surfaces during the summer months. Industrial and commercial sites may be dusty and have the potential to adversely affect surrounding areas.

Public registers allow the public to check facts and might provide what is needed to put your mind at rest about an environmental issue; or it might give you the necessary information to raise questions with the people concerned.

Under the Clean Air Act local authorities may declare the whole or part of their district to be a smoke control area. It is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of a building, from a furnace or from any fixed boiler if located in a designated smoke control area.